PHOENIX — Geno Smith likely will open training camp as the Jets’ starting quarterback, but that news didn’t exactly come with a ringing endorsement from Todd Bowles.

Gang Green’s new coach said Tuesday, during the NFL owners meetings at the Arizona Biltmore, Smith will be the No. 1, at least through late July, largely because Smith currently is the only man standing.

“Right now, with Geno going in and Ryan [Fitzpatrick] hurt and not being able to participate in [spring practices], Geno is going to take the majority of the reps,” Bowles said during the annual AFC coaches media breakfast. “There’s nobody else we have. He’s our guy right now.”

That designation will extend to the start of training camp unless the Jets draft a quarterback, which they are seriously considering with the No. 6 overall pick after Bowles confirmed private workouts are scheduled with Marcus Mariota and Jameis Winston.

Bowles also wanted to stress the initial nod to Smith shouldn’t be considered a stamp of approval from himself or new offensive coordinator Chan Gailey.

“Geno’s been here [two years], so obviously he’s going to start off [with the edge],” Bowles said. “When we get to training camp, Geno will start out running the first-team reps because he’s the only quarterback we have right now. I’m not saying he’s going to be the [No. 1] quarterback, but he’s going to start out there.”

Bowles is tepid toward Smith for the same reason everyone else is — turnovers. The former West Virginia star has thrown 25 interceptions and fumbled 16 times in just 29 pro starts, which the Jets’ new boss considers unacceptable.

Smith posted a perfect 158.3 passer rating in the final game of last season (a 37-24 road win over the Dolphins), but Bowles is more concerned with Smith’s woeful 71.5 career rating.

“We have seen potential in him, and he’s only a [third]-year player,” Bowles said of Smith. “You want to say there’s hope for potential growth there and something to look forward to, but you can’t have the turnovers in this league, no matter who you are. And he’s got to understand that.”

Bowles said he and his new coaching staff have been frustrated in their evaluation of Smith by NFL rules barring them from contacting or working out their players in the offseason until OTAs and minicamps start next month.

Jets coach Todd BowlesGetty Images

But the laid-back Bowles said he isn’t going to sweat the Jets’ quarterback situation.

“You would love to have a great quarterback, but with 32 teams in the league, you’re not going to have 32 franchise quarterbacks,” Bowles said. “That’s just fact. You can name five [franchise quarterbacks], maybe 10 if you want to stretch it to two types of tiers. There are 12 playoff spots. There are not going to be 12 franchise quarterbacks who are in the playoffs.

“So you’ve got to try to win in different ways. … As long as he’s confident in what he’s doing and understands and doesn’t lose the game and he’s smart with the football, you have a chance to win the ball game.”

Bowles was much more effusive when talking about Brandon Marshall, the Jets’ most prominent addition on offense this winter.

According to Bowles, the mercurial Pro Bowl wideout is poised for a breakout season with Gang Green on the field and — despite a difficult reputation that has gotten him traded three times — will be a positive influence on the locker room, too.

Bowles even plans to let Marshall continue his weekly stint on Showtime’s “Inside the NFL” program as long as the receiver continues to do it on Tuesday’s off day.

“Brandon brings a work ethic and a fire to us that we need on the other side of the ball,” Bowles said. “The guy is a good guy, and he works hard. He just wants to win.”

Bowles spoke one table over from Bill Belichick at the coaches breakfast but wasn’t interested in taunting the rival Patriots with any Rex Ryan-like predictions or boasts.

“The Patriots are the Super Bowl champs,” Bowles said. “So everybody else has to fall in line behind them until somebody else can do it.”